By Tendai Matunhu

The First Lady yesterday addressing farmers and vendors at Mbare market in Harare encouraged the preservation of farm fresh produce and fruits. Preservation reduces losses and helps disadvantaged children and families through ensuring food security.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa said, “We are always suffering as a country because we are not preserving our food staffs. It is important to preserve what we would have grown so it takes us to the next rainy season. It’s time we put our heads together in terms of ways of preserving our produce to avoid rotting or being affected by weevils.”

The First Lady also said, “In some areas children are going out of their homes without eating when they go to school. This affects their learning process because they will fail to concentrate on an empty stomach.

“Their are some children with kwashiorkor, others with stunted growth but here at Mbare musika we see wastage with food being thrown away and rotting. We should map a way forward on how best to help the great number of children who are suffering because they have nothing to eat in rural areas and schools,” she said.

She commended the great job being done by the farmers and vendors but said the disturbing part is the great amounts of food being thrown away and wasted, when it can be used to help disadvantaged families and children.

The First Lady encouraged people to preserve and dry vegetables like our ancestors used to do. She said we are one family and she would work with everyone despite their political affiliation. She also said she wanted to work with everyone despite their political affiliation.

“I am not here representing any political party, I am everyone’s mother. We are one family and I work with everyone despite their political affiliation. I came to unite people. We don’t want hate we should unite. Let us work together for the good of the country. Let us not tarnish the image of our country,” said the First Lady.

The Harare Post has learnt The First Lady has committed herself to work with Harare City Council to resolve and solve the problems being faced at Mbare Market to ensure vendors preserve fruits and vegetables.